Re: Fed Blue Cross DAWN & STEVE

[Guest guest]

DAWN & STEVE'

You both are absolute angels! Thanks so very much for giving

me info I can use. I'm going to take a print-out of all the terrific

info you've been providing and take it with me to my next

appointment.

My surgeon (Dr. ) is new to private practice. Her

insurance/billing person is BRAND new so I'm not expecting any

creative billing.

I'm hoping with all the stories that you and others share, they will

get it straight the first time they bill.

Couldn't do it without you.

gobo

> Yes, the BPd/DS is the same. Dr. Hess's letter to my

insurance company

> called my surgery a long limb roux en y (which it is--in addition

to other

> things). He then went on to list codes (but didn't name what

they are) that

> included the reduction of the stomach and other intestinal

parts. I had no

> problem getting approved (which I am thankful for every day).

When my letter

> of approval from the insurance company came it said " gastric

bypass is a

> covered benefit under this patient's plan. " Never did Dr. Hess

or the

> insurance company use the terms duodenal switch. I think

this is partly

> because there are no official " codes " for the DS. Doctors have

to use other

> codes which they feel best represent it. I was in no way going

to call the

> insurance company and start throwing the DS terminology

around. By the way

> Dr. Hess's office was amazed at how well my insurance paid

on the surgeons'

> fees.

>

> Dawn

> Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH

> BPD/DS

> www.duodenalswitch.com

> 267 to 165

> size 22 to size 10

> have made size goal, weight goal may need to be adjusted.

> no more high blood pressure, sore feet, or dieting!